Full Text Archive

Full Text Archive
https://www.fulltextarchive.com
"I know you are. So am I. But it can't be helped now. We should have thought of that in the first
place."
"But I love you so. Oh, honey, he will never forgive me. He loves me so. He mustn't know. I
won't admit anything. But, oh, dear!"
She put her hands tightly together on his bosom, and he looked consolingly into her eyes. Her
eyelids, were trembling, and her lips. She was sorry for her father, herself, Cowperwood.
Through her he could sense the force of Butler's parental affection; the volume and danger of
his rage. There were so many, many things as he saw it now converging to make a dramatic
denouement.
"Never mind," he replied; "it can't be helped now. Where is my strong, determined Aileen? I
thought you were going to be so brave? Aren't you going to be? I need to have you that way
now."
"Do you?"
"Yes."
"Are you in trouble?"
"I think I am going to fail, dear."
"Oh, no!"
"Yes, honey. I'm at the end of my rope. I don't see any way out just at present. I've sent for my
father and my lawyer. You mustn't stay here, sweet. Your father may come in here at any time.
We must meet somewhere--to-morrow, say--to-morrow afternoon. You remember Indian Rock,
out on the Wissahickon?"
"Yes."
"Could you be there at four?"
"Yes."
"Look out for who's following. If I'm not there by four-thirty, don't wait. You know why. It will be
because I think some one is watching. There won't be, though, if we work it right. And now you
must run, sweet. We can't use Nine-thirty-one any more. I'll have to rent another place
somewhere else."
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."
"Aren't you going to be strong and brave? You see, I need you to be."
He was almost, for the first time, a little sad in his mood.
"Yes, dear, yes," she declared, slipping her arms under his and pulling him tight. "Oh, yes! You
148 / 312

---